Daily Lessons for Teaching Uncle Vanya

Lesson 1

Objective: Marina and Astrov are trying to figure out how long they've known each other as the play begins and how much they've changed. Today's objective is to talk about the idea of changing over the course of one's life. Is it something one can avoid?

1. Have each student make a list of the ways in which they feel they've changed in the last year.

2. In smaller groups, have students discuss whether they believe a person can live without changing. Why or why not?

3. As a class, have the students discuss whether they think a person needs to change during their life. Why or why not? What is so important about change? What positive and negative effects can the process of change provide?

4. Homework: Have each student discuss whether they think they want to change more at this point of their lives. Why or why not?